DOMINION TRADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9633, 13 June 1919, Page 7

DOMINION TRADE

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

WELLINGTON, June 11. Commenting on the Dominion's overseas trade, the 'Minister of Customs pointed out that although the value of goods imported and exported during 1918 (£52,707,441) was very . much higher than the figures for 1914 (£48,117,543), the actual tonnage of goods handled was very much lower last year than during the year of the outbreak of war. '

"Imports from the British Empire decreased from 665- per cent, of our total imports in 1914 to 57 per cent. of such total in 1918 ; whilst onr exports to various portions of the Empire also decreased during the period in question from 91 per cent, to 76.5 per cent, of our total export trade. Naturally, the United Kingdom, with its great factories and workshops diverted largely' to war production, has been the heaviest sufferer in this respect. Our imports from the Old Country have decreased from 51£ per cent, of our total import trade in 1914 to 3ti per cent, in 1918. Trade formerly subsisting between our own country and the United Kingdom has necessarily beeu diverted elsewhere, Japan having obtained a largo share, between the two years mentioned above our percentage of imports from the United States has been increased from 11^ -per cent, to 22£ per cent. This no doubt is a temporary and unavoidable state of affairs. When British manufacturers are again running on peace production, one does not doubt thaf the volume of our trade within the Empire will correspondingly be affected. Imperial preference has now reached a stage of practicability, the Home Country having recognised the advisability of adopting it to some extent with a view of strengthening the commercial ties that help to bind "together our Empire. One would desire to. see a complete scheme of interfmperial preferential trading brought into existence, ,doing away with such anomalies as that which ? for instance, exists between Australia and New Zealand. On our part we accord preferential treatment to the Commonwealth, but so far as we ourselves are concerned the Ausrtalian tariff lists us as a foreign country, and we obtain no better terms than do the United States and other countries. This , too, one cannot 'help but feel is a phase that will require amendment in the near future. The whole of the nations of the British commonwealth would appear to be disposed to a mutual rapproachment as regards tariff and commercial relationships generally. Under tho proposed revision our own customs tariff I trust New Zealand will give a lead to, the Empire in this important matter." .